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Post-ICU Outcomes in a Low-Resource Setting: A Cohort Study From Rwanda
Geofrey Bahati1, Wellars Niragire, Faustin Niyonshuti
1All authors: Division of Clinical Services, Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Rwanda Military Teaching Hospital, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
Critical Care Explorations
|April 27, 2026
Summary
Critical illness survivors in low-resource settings face significant challenges. Many experience persistent functional, cognitive, and mental health issues long after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Global health
- Patient outcomes
Background:
- Survivorship after critical illness in low-resource settings is poorly understood.
- Characterizing long-term recovery is essential for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate 90-day mortality and multidimensional recovery after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.
- To identify key recovery metrics including functional status, cognition, and mental health.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study was conducted with adults discharged from a national referral ICU in Rwanda.
- Data collected included mortality, functional status (Modified Barthel Index), cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination), and mental health (GAD-7, PHQ-9).
Main Results:
- 90-day mortality was 12.9% among 62 participants.
- At 90 days, only 48.4% had full functional independence, and 30.6% reported severe anxiety or depression.
- Cognitive function improved, but significant morbidity persisted post-ICU.
Conclusions:
- ICU survivorship in low-resource settings is characterized by substantial ongoing health problems.
- There are critical gaps in post-ICU care, highlighting the need for tailored survivorship programs.
- Developing scalable, context-specific strategies is crucial for improving outcomes for critical illness survivors.
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